Sundance Spas Blog

Back Pain? Hot Tub Hydrotherapy Works

Oct 11, 2013 | A. Parra

A close friend of mine suffers from chronic back pain. He does the exercises recommended by his doctor (sometimes) and uses medication to relieve the pain when it gets bad. I was talking to him at a barbeque recently, and mentioned that a hot tub hydro-massage could help. "I know it feels good," he said, "but does it work?"
Well, hydrotherapy does work, by doing a lot more than just making your back feel better during a warm-water therapy session. Hydrotherapy – the combination of heat, buoyancy and massage – relieves lower pain by triggering positive effects on the body. The best hot tubs, like our Sundance Spas models, deliver an effective combination of the key components of hydrotherapy:

• Heat helps to open blood vessels to improve circulation and loosen muscle tension, both of which reduce pain.

• Buoyancy lifts the weight of the body, providing relief for sore muscles and joints, and improving the ability to move around.

• Massage eases inflammation, reduces muscle tightness and increase blood flow. According to a study covered in the New York Times, experiments showed that massage reduced the production of cytokines (they cause inflammation) and stimulated the process of cell function and repair.1

To relieve back pain in a hot tub, it is essential for the body to be positioned comfortably in the seat. This is where Sundance Spas stands above the rest: our seats are engineered to fit people of different heights and builds. Every seat delivers a variety of hydro-massage types and intensities while supporting the body. The best hot tubs are sure to have seats designed for back pain, from low back pain to neck pain.
For more information about hydrotherapy and back pain, visit your local Sundance Spas dealer showroom. You can sit in the showroom models, and find the one that will really "work" on relieving your back pain.

Studies Prove: Thinking About a Calm Place (Your Hot Tub) Can Ease Stress

Oct 11, 2013 | A. Parra

Hot tub owners, you may not need to be sitting in your spa to enjoy its stress-reducing benefits. You only have to think about it!
A simple form of relaxation called "guided imagery" has been shown in more than 200 studies to help reduce stress and anxiety, relieve pain, enhance sleep and help you feel more in control. Guided imagery is a traditional technique of focusing your imagination on calm, peaceful images (like spas and hot tubs) to experience a "mental escape."
Apparently, daydreaming about soaking in a Sundance Spas hot tub may help you more easily cope with daily frustrations and work demands. Studies have proven that the mind has powerful effects on the body. Visualizing yourself resting your head on the hot tub's pillow, feeling the warm-water jets massaging your back and neck, without seeing or feeling the water, your brain is telling your body to relax.
Of course, there is no substitute for being at home, enjoying a hydrotherapeutic massage in your own Sundance spa.

• Many of the benefits of guided imagery and hydrotherapy are the same – relaxation, relief of arthritis pain and insomnia, and improved circulation.

• A drawback of guided imagery: it takes practice, and it can be difficult to focus in some situations.

• Spas and hot tubs are easy – they take you on a mental and physical escape every time you're in the warm, soothing water.

To learn more about guided imagery, we've listed some links below. To experience real Sundance Spas relaxation, locate a dealer near you and ask about taking a "wet test." You won't have to think about de-stressing – it just happens!

Improve The Quality of Your Life

May 13, 2013 | A. Parra

Have aches and pains? Need relief from daily stress? Improve the quality of your life...soothe sore muscles and joints, take time to relax daily, put away cell phones and turn off the tv, engage in meaningful conversations with family...

The Backyard Stress-Busting Machine: Your Spa

Jan 23, 2013 | A. Parra

How a Sundance Spa Can Help You Avoid Health Problems Associated With Stress

Add this Infographic to your site:

We know that a lot of factors can influence how we handle stress; some are within our control and others are not. Almost anyone who is stretched to the limit by impossible-to-meet demands, or is facing an unexpected crisis, can find it challenging to manage the body's physical response to stress. Symptoms can range from mild headaches to a gradual weakening of the body's ability to fight disease.
Sundance Spas recommends using hot tub hydrotherapy to help combat the effects of stress. Hot tub hydrotherapy has three tremendous benefits that have been shown to promote wellbeing:

it warms the body,

provides a professional-type massage, and

lifts the burden on joints and muscles through the water's natural buoyancy.

Hydrotherapy loosens stiff muscles in the neck and shoulders to ease discomfort and improve your mobility. Letting go and relaxing in a Sundance spa revs up sluggish circulation to help speed the body's healing process and renew your energy. If your joints are a problem, taking some weight off of them during a spa session can make it easier to move without pain.
In other words, Sundance hydrotherapy replenishes overworked, tense and tired bodies to bring them back into balance. And there's no doubt that a body in balance is more resistant to the physical effects of stress. Used on a regular basis, Sundance hydrotherapy can fortify the body with regular doses of rejuvenation and calm.

Seasonal Overload?

Dec 21, 2012 | A. Parra

Try the 10-Minute Hot Tub Balancing Act

Although I’m one of those who enjoys holiday shopping, family gatherings and all the traditions, I find myself waking up too early in the morning, worried about getting it all done. By afternoon I feel tired and wired at the same time.
We’ve found that 10 minutes a day in the hot tub can do an amazing job of balancing body, mind and spirit. Here’s how:
Stretch out in your Sundance® spa. Hot tub hydrotherapy is equivalent to the warm-up phase of a workout. Heat prepares tight muscles for stretching and loosens stiff joints. Stretching helps prevent muscle tightness, pain and even injury. It relaxes you, too.
Use hydrotherapy to help you sleep. Studies show that hot-water immersion and hydro massage make it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep at night. Hot tub hydrotherapy works to improve circulation and reduce blood pressure. Both of these work to fight the body’s stress triggers, which can keep you up at night.
Stimulate the body’s endorphins. Hot tub hydrotherapy promotes the production of a natural substance, endorphins, that make you feel better. Endorphins are responsible for the calm, almost euphoric sensation runners experience after a long distance run. They say the glowing feeling of being of love is caused by endorphins. We could all use an endorphin rush during the holidays, right?
If the idea of taking a few minutes out of your day to relax in your Sundance spa seems impossible during December, think of the healthy benefits you’ll receive. And don’t forget how good you’ll feel during your hot tub time.

How Portable is a Hot Tub?

Apr 16, 2012 | A. Parra

A Sundance Spa Can Be Moved More Easily Than You Think

When my husband and I remodeled our backyard, it took us months to decide on the color and dimensions of the stained and stamped concrete patio. Several decisions and choices revolved around this permanent fixture and once it was poured and set, there was no going back.
Fortunately, most Sundance® spas are above-ground, self-contained units that are portable. Our hot tubs are quite easy to install and set up, and they can be relocated again later, depending on the hot tub installation. These benefits have made our portable spas (check out one of my favorites, the Hawthorne™) extremely popular for home owners looking to create a backyard spa retreat without the stress of a huge construction project.
A portable hot tub can be tilted up on its side onto a flat dolly and easily guided along a walkway – just be sure the hot tub has clearance at gates or doorways. Unlike an in-ground hot tub installation, a portable hot tub doesn’t require any special construction or plumbing. (It’s important that you contact a licensed electrician or contractor when planning for your hot tub electrical hook up. You should consult the owner’s manual for your specific hot tub model and provide the information to your electrician.)
READ MORE >

What’s the Best Hot Tub for Family Time?

Feb 29, 2012 | A. Parra

4 Things to Consider When Shopping for Family Hot Tubs

Ever notice how families spend a lot of time in the same house without really spending time together? Rushing through breakfast, chaotic dinner times, vegging out in front of the TV in the evening, etcetera. Family hot tubs can't change the pace of modern life, but a hot tub will give you a reason to relax and enjoy each other's company. So how do you decide on the best hot tub for your family? Here are some tips:
READ MORE >

Hot Tub Hydrotherapy Helps Joints and Muscles

Oct 19, 2011 | K. Lee

Relieve Joint Pain and Increase Flexibility with Hydrotherapy

Millions of people worldwide suffer from some form of joint pain, with little guidance given to them other than to take pain relievers. A common cause of joint pain can be boiled down to inflexibility of the joints, muscle tightness or both. Whether you suffer from a chronic condition, such as arthritis, or temporary stiffness from sports, spending time in a hydrotherapy spa will work wonders in relieving tightness of the muscles and joints. Supplement a hot tub hydrotherapy massage with hot water stretching and start feeling the benefits in no time.
READ MORE >

Hydromassage for Pro Athletes and Amateur Exercisers

Oct 5, 2011 | K. Lee

Positive Results for Our Bodies and Our Minds

Whether you’re a professional athlete, a serious amateur, or the occasional exerciser, hydromassage offers proven benefits. Not until modern times, however, has hydromassage become so easily available to regular folks, thanks to the portable hot tub and spa industry.
READ MORE >

Benefits of Hydrotherapy

Aug 23, 2011 | K. Lee

Experience the Heat, Buoyancy and Massage

Water’s buoyancy reduces body weight, relieving pressure on joints and muscles. How much do you think body weight is reduced by due to water’s buoyancy?
a) 100%
b) 90%
c) 50%
d) 25%
READ MORE >

Hot Tub Stress Relief with Yoga

Mar 2, 2011 | A. Parra

Heat Combined with Buoyancy Can Deliver a Highly-Effective Stretch

Last month, in honor of American Heart Month and in an effort to improve overall wellness and protect myself against heart disease, I enrolled in a series of yoga classes. I have read that perhaps one of the most studied areas of the health benefits of yoga is its effect on heart disease. “Studies have found that yoga practice lowers the resting heart rate, increases endurance, and can improve your maximum uptake of oxygen during exercise—all reflections of improved aerobic conditioning.” –Yoga Journal.
I must say, I have enjoyed the benefits of yoga more than anticipated. Mental calmness, stress reduction and flexibility are among the many benefits I have received since practicing this gentle form of fitness.
READ MORE >

February is American Heart Month

Feb 10, 2011 | A. Parra

5 Medication-Free Strategies to Help Prevent Heart Disease

The entire month of February seems to revolve around matters of the heart including health, the color red and romance with the following “special observance” days:

2/6 National Wear Red Day

2/14 Valentine’s Day

2/20 National Women’s Heart Health Day

Since it is American Heart Month, I give you 5 medication-free strategies to help prevent heart disease provided by the Mayo Clinic.